Im currently on my second six week squat program after having been laid up for a month or two due to ashould injury.

Squatting 225 is a big goal, I havent even attempted 200 yet, and with 20 reps! Good job!

Currently, squatting every other day is finally taking its toll on my legs. UGH. I cant wait til this cycle is over and I can focus my energy for a while on other exercises.

Hi, it's still going good. Still adding weight everytime I squat.
I had to start over a couple months ago, caught a cold with a persistant cough.
The weights are getting tougher each time.
I need to take at least 2 days off between squatting.
Early on, I think I could have done every other day, but not anymore.

I've had a little bit of a sore back lately, feeling better now.
The last time I squatted, I could tell I was running out of steam.
Tonight I did the same weight and added 5 reps.
I'll keep adding reps until I get to 50 x 165

Adding another goal: Lose 2 inches of belly during the month of June.
I did so well last summer losing fat, about 4 inches in the waist.
Over the winter I put back on an inch.
I'm going to lose 2 inches this month.
I will measure it by my belt holes.

Great work! My endurance would give out before I'd make 35 with 165 - that's a great mark to hit, and 50 will be some impressive stuff.

When you get to 165x50, there's no question in my mind that you'll plow through 225x20. Actually, at 35 reps right now, I'd bet you've got a fair shake at being able to do the 225x20 right now if you gave it a go, but if you have a plan, stick to it and see where it takes you.

If anything else, mix it up with some other things as you get closer to the time of the goal - try something like 5x15 @ 185-205 or something and you'll know just how easy you're going to nail that 20 rep set when the time comes.

Jason wrote:Squat Night:

I've had a little bit of a sore back lately, feeling better now.The last time I squatted, I could tell I was running out of steam.Tonight I did the same weight and added 5 reps.I'll keep adding reps until I get to 50 x 165

Tonight 165 x 35

"A 'hardgainer' is merely someone who hasn't bothered to try enough different training methods to learn what is actually right for their own damned body." - anonymous

Thanks Ryan
I'm going to try 225 again after I hit 165x50
After I got to 135x50 I tried 225 and did 5 good reps and quit.
I had never done more than 185x3 and I don't have a squat rack, so I was cautious.

I can definitely see being cautious without a squat rack, no question about it.

Still, very amazing - to go from 185x3 for a max to 165x35 is a HUGE leap, even if it's 20 lbs. less overall. By "calculations" for determining a 1 rep max, charts would probably put you into the 300 lb. range for a max (at LEAST in the high 200s), so that's a massive change to be proud of. Keep up the great work!

"A 'hardgainer' is merely someone who hasn't bothered to try enough different training methods to learn what is actually right for their own damned body." - anonymous

I didnt have a squat rack for a long time, but was determined to lift heavier weights than I could clean and press, so Ill give you some examples of two things I did.

I found a tall fence that made a right angle to another fence. Set the bar on that, and added the weights. Im tall though, so dont know if it would work for you?

Now, I got some weird looking metal shelf bars. If you go to an old laundry mat you would see them hold up a wood plank. They are at right angle, where screws go into the walls, and the other screws hold the board in place.

Well, I got some very strong screws that hold a lot of weight, and screwed the metal things to the wall. Ive had about 225 lbs on em so far with no noticable sag

I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine. ~Bruce Lee

Thanks guys.
Here is my current setup. It works very well for getting the weighted bar on my shoulders.
It has the lower safety pins that I've used when I went to failure squatting just the bar.
These pins have saved me many times while attempting one too many bench presses.
Not sure how useful they would be with over 200 pound on my shoulder.

I put those black mats behind me when I squat just in case I have to drop the weight.
I don't know how much absorption they have from 3 feet up.
I've been looking at a squat rack, it may be in my future.
Or I might just start squatting at the gym.